Muzaffarabad police deny holding rights activist Shaukat Nawaz Mir as family raises fears over his health and whereabouts.
The Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) High Court is scheduled to hear the habeas corpus case regarding rights leader Shaukat Nawaz Mir on September 23, amid conflicting claims surrounding his custody and health.
Mir was reportedly detained by police and Rangers from a forested area in Dhirkot on June 30. However, the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) for Muzaffarabad told the court that Mir is not currently in police custody, claiming instead that he is in hiding to evade arrest in 17 pending cases.
During court proceedings, the SSP and the Advocate General maintained that 17 cases have been registered against Mir. The defense maintains that video footage documenting the initial arrest exists, raising questions over the authorities’ current denials regarding his whereabouts and legal status.
With legal counsel absent, Mir’s sister, Yasmeen Mir, has been representing the case in court. The High Court has directed her to arrange legal representation for the upcoming September 23 hearing while pressing authorities for clarity.
Meanwhile, family members and supporters have expressed grave concern over Mir’s well-being. Unconfirmed reports indicate that he may have been subjected to physical abuse while in undisclosed custody, with unverified accounts suggesting he was recently brought to a government hospital in Islamabad in a wheelchair due to deteriorating health.
Rights advocates and family members have called upon the judiciary to intervene decisively, demand a transparent accounting from law enforcement agencies, and ensure Mir’s safe production before the court.